Volkswagen
This class action alleges that certain Volkswagen and Audi diesel-powered automobiles contain a software device that detects when these cars are undergoing emissions testing and triggers activation of the cars’ full emissions control systems. In ordinary driving conditions, these cars emit 10 to 40 times more than the allowable legal levels of certain pollutants. This...
Continue reading the post titled VolkswagenBMO and Simplii Financial Data Breach
IMPORTANT UPDATE To inquire about the status of the distribution process, please visit: www.bmosettlement.ca. The website will outline the status for each group within the class action. Siskinds LLP and JSS Barristers commenced a proposed class action against Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”) and a proposed class action against Bank of Montreal (“BMO”). The...
Continue reading the post titled BMO and Simplii Financial Data BreachRegulation of noise
Noise is one of the classic irritants that drives neighbours crazy.
Continue reading the post titled Regulation of noiseDrinking water standards getting a little tighter
Health Canada has released its new Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, prepared by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water (CDW).[1] This replaces the existing 1996 edition. Bottom line: the numbers are a little stricter than 15 years ago.
Continue reading the post titled Drinking water standards getting a little tighterOntario's proposed approach to cap and trade
Last week, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (“MOECC”) posted to the Environmental Registry its proposed approach to establishing a cap and trade regime in the province. Preferred and considered options for such a regime were are outlined in a “Cap and Trade Program Design Options” document, upon which the MOECC is accepting comments...
Continue reading the post titled Ontario's proposed approach to cap and tradeWater meters inexorable
Pay for use or flat rates? Flat rates are often popular, but they are poor public policy. Flat rates encourage waste. Flat rates discourage conservation of water and energy, and devalue their importance. Flat rates make conscientious citizens pay for the bad habits of wasteful neighbours. And flat rates are generally too low to pay...
Continue reading the post titled Water meters inexorablePCBs in fish
PCBs in your fish dinner? Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were used for decades in industry and to make electrical equipment like transformers and capacitors.[i] They are slow to break down and hard to destroy. PCB are known carcinogens and have been linked to adverse reproductive, immune, nervous and endocrine effects, among others.[ii] Trace levels are found...
Continue reading the post titled PCBs in fishMore on approvals reform
Bill 68, the 166 page Open for Business Act [i] is now available for download. The Bill establishes a framework for reform of environmental approvals, as part of a three-year initiative intended to foster more efficient government services to business, while continuing to protect the environment and the public interest. This long-overdue Bill received first...
Continue reading the post titled More on approvals reformDrive Clean tweaked
Ontario’s vehicle emissions control program, Drive Clean, is getting a tuneup. Amendments to Ontario Regulation 361/98[i] (Motor Vehicles) under the Environmental Protection Act will modernize the Drive Clean program.[ii] By December 12, 2012, the Acceleration Simulation Mode (dynamometer) tailpipe test will be replaced with: [iii],[iv]
Continue reading the post titled Drive Clean tweakedBird-building collisions and ECAs
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (“MOECC”) has posted to the Environmental Registry (“ER”) a proposal for a draft regulatory amendment to exempt reflective building surfaces (such as the windows of office buildings) from requiring an Environmental Compliance Approval (“ECA”). (Unfortunately, the date for providing comments has just passed). Reflective building surfaces are...
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